School finder
The nearest schools to any postcode in England, with Ofsted grades, ages and pupil numbers. Free
30 nearest schools to BH21 7NL
| School | Type | Ages | Ofsted | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndown Upper School 1,134 pupils | Secondary | 13–19 | Report | 1.0 mi |
| Hayeswood First School 148 pupils | Primary | 5–9 | Good Report | 1.1 mi |
| Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School 134 pupils | Primary | 5–9 | Report | 1.1 mi |
| Ferndown Middle School 600 pupils | Middle deemed secondary | 9–13 | Report | 1.1 mi |
| Ferndown First School 348 pupils | Primary | 4–9 | Report | 1.2 mi |
| Colehill First School 148 pupils | Primary | 5–9 | Good Report | 1.2 mi |
| Parley First School 313 pupils | Primary | 4–9 | Good Report | 1.7 mi |
| Canford School 650 pupils | Other independent school | 13–18 | Report | 1.7 mi |
| St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill 563 pupils | Middle deemed secondary | 9–13 | Report | 1.8 mi |
| Beaucroft Foundation School 241 pupils | Foundation special school | 4–19 | Good Report | 2.0 mi |
| The White House School 46 pupils | Other independent special school | 6–14 | Report | 2.2 mi |
| St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery 148 pupils | Primary | 2–9 | Report | 2.3 mi |
| Dumpton School 338 pupils | Other independent school | 2–13 | Report | 2.3 mi |
| Oakhurst Community First School 173 pupils | Primary | 5–9 | Good Report | 2.3 mi |
| St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne 148 pupils | Primary | 5–9 | Good Report | 2.4 mi |
| West Moors Middle School 240 pupils | Middle deemed secondary | 9–13 | Good Report | 2.4 mi |
| Merley First School 292 pupils | Primary | 5–9 | Good Report | 2.5 mi |
| Bearwood Primary and Nursery School 253 pupils | Primary | 2–11 | Good Report | 2.5 mi |
| Wimborne First School and Nursery 400 pupils | Primary | 2–9 | Good Report | 2.6 mi |
| Allenbourn Middle School 499 pupils | Middle deemed secondary | 9–13 | Report | 2.7 mi |
| Christ The King Catholic Primary School 302 pupils | Primary | 3–11 | Report | 2.7 mi |
| Kinson Academy 179 pupils | Primary | 4–11 | Good Report | 2.8 mi |
| LeAF Studio 458 pupils | Secondary | 13–19 | Report | 2.9 mi |
| Oak Academy 647 pupils | Secondary | 11–16 | Report | 3.0 mi |
| Elm Academy 364 pupils | Primary | 3–11 | Report | 3.1 mi |
| Portfield School 144 pupils | Non-maintained special school | 4–19 | Report | 3.2 mi |
| St James Church of England First School 134 pupils | Primary | 2–9 | Report | 3.4 mi |
| Heathlands Primary Academy 164 pupils | Primary | 3–11 | Good Report | 3.4 mi |
| Queen Elizabeth's School 1,375 pupils | Secondary | 13–18 | Requires improvement Report | 3.5 mi |
| The Bourne Academy 958 pupils | Secondary | 11–18 | Good Report | 3.6 mi |
Source: Department for Education (Get Information about Schools) and Ofsted. Grades are from each school's last graded inspection; newer inspections use report cards without a single grade. Distances are straight-line, and catchment areas are set by the council or school.
House prices and more for BH21 7NL
Choosing a school: what the list can and can't tell you
The finder lists the schools closest to a postcode as the crow flies, with their type, age range, number of pupils and latest Ofsted outcome. It's a good starting point, but distance alone doesn't decide who gets a place.
Catchment areas and admissions. Every school has admission criteria, set by the council for community schools and by the school itself for academies, free schools and faith schools. Most give priority to looked-after children and siblings, then to distance, but some use catchment maps, faith or aptitude. Last year's "furthest distance offered" figure, which most councils publish, is far more useful than a straight-line distance.
Ofsted ratings. Older reports give a single grade from Outstanding to Inadequate. Ofsted has since moved to report cards that grade several areas separately, so a recently inspected school may read differently. Check the date too: a grade from many years ago may not reflect the school today.
Before you buy for a school, check the council's admissions booklet for the year you'll apply, visit on an open day, and look at the school's own website for its results and oversubscription criteria. Homes in sought-after catchments often sell at a premium, so it's worth being sure.